New Performance Space For Kids In El Paso Music Scene

El Paso has a great “rock school” for aspiring musicians. Granted, they don’t just teach “rock”, it’s all about teaching youngsters to play. Genres are not dictated.

Let There Be Rock School was founded by Pepe Clark, one of the founding members of Kyng, who is currently the drummer for Ministry among other projects. He’s traveled the world and, when not recording or touring, built something El Paso long needed.

Let There Be Rock School was founded in 2010, Pepe opened the El Paso location in 2016. It has since seen a ton of musicians, (of all ages), learn an instrument, get better at one and/or take up a new one. Now, he and his team have set their sites on a bigger goal.

Young El Paso Musicians Need A Venue

While there are plenty of aspiring musicians attending Let There Be Rock School, the school’s ultimate goal … live performances … is just a bit out of reach. Hence the need for funding.

What Is Let There Be Rock School Trying To Do?

Their curriculum includes musicians learning to play, learning to play together, learning to write together and, in the end, perform together. It’s a great all around package except for that performing thing. El Paso doesn’t have a ton of “kid friendly” venues with all the professional bells and whistles to pull off a true, full on, live performance.

The Apple Tree Creative Center

Toward that end, Pepe and his team … via the Apple Tree Creative Center … are building a proper venue with pro lighting, amps, PA’s, mixing and everything else needed to put on a real show. In a place where kids and young adults can ply their trade without being excluded because of their age. Or for their own safety.

READ MORE: Learn More About Pepe

It will be a truly “safe” place for them with no drugs or alcohol allowed. It’s hard enough to perform for some crowds when you’re a pro; imagine a kid, (or kids), trying to play to a bunch of rowdy drunks.

Help The Apple Tree Creative Center

Teaching a kid to play an instrument is a great thing. Teaching them to play and work and create with others; even moreso. Working to the common goal of a full on, live performance of original material is an awesome quest. It may help one kid, or two, or 100 to find themselves.

On down the line, the ripple effect could inspire zillions. Kids who will grow into adults with a solid platform of ability, confidence and a deep appreciation of art and music. That, along with an understanding of what it takes to compromise, balance and work together. Skills that apply to any end. That’s the Apple Tree Creative Center mission.

Apple Tree Creative Center Needs To Buy Equipment

Recently, a bunch of Let There Be Rock School students, (and alumni), played a benefit, fund raising concert. I was the emcee for that fund raising concert and saw kids from 6 or 7 to their teens play. And they played well. Check out some pics:

It could be a minute before anything earth shattering happens, (then again, magic could happen on day 1), but a ton of great lessons will be learned and we’ll get a ton of good music out of it. These up and comers will get a true taste of life as a musician at the least. In terms of helping them do it; (nod to Rage Against The Machine here), “what better place than here, what better time than now?

To make a donation, click here or call (915) 307 – 4883.

Who Can Use The Apple Tree Creative Center?

If you build it, they will come … ok, I borrowed that line too but it’s true. Let’s get this sucker built and, once it is, it will be open to pretty much anybody. Donate here.